Method and system for enabling rendering of electronic media content via a secure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheld wireless communication device

ABSTRACT

A handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) establishes an ad hoc network comprising interconnected networks for a user. The HWCD gains access to content on a first device and controls communication of the content from the first device via the HWCD to a second device. The HWCD enables the second device to consume the content. The content may be streamed from the first device via the HWCD to the second device. The first device is a service provider network device or other network device. The access may be authenticated and/or secure. Secure access to the content is extended from the first device to the second device. The ad hoc network is configured and/or reconfigured until communication is complete. The HWCD comprises multiple wireless interfaces. The ad hoc network comprises a PAN, WLAN, WAN and/or cellular network. The HWCD may hand-off among base stations during communication of the content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 13/713,709,filed Dec. 13, 2012, which is a continuation application of Ser. No.13/492,027, filed Jun. 8, 2012, which is a continuation application ofSer. No. 13/280,047, filed Oct. 24, 2011, which is a continuationapplication of Ser. No. 11/873,918, filed Oct. 17, 2007, which claimspriority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/950,937, filed Jul.20, 2007, the entirety of all of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication ofinformation. More specifically, certain embodiments of the inventionrelate to a method and system for enabling rendering of electronic mediacontent via a secure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheldwireless communication device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth the lastfew years. In today's world, most people use their mobile devices, be itcellular phones, PDA's, laptops, media players and/or other devices, forvarious purposes, business and personal, on a constant and daily basis.Increasingly, people are able to access information according to theirindividual choice. For instance, people may select music or videos froman electronic media store of their choice and play them on portabledevices. In addition, the Internet allows people to access news andinformation at a time convenient for them rather then at specifiedbroadcast times. In addition, many wireless solutions have beenintroduced, and have made tremendous strides into everyday life.

For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has beengaining popularity in a great number of applications because of theflexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systemsgenerally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connectperipheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distancewireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits(typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardizedtechnologies, for example Class 3 Bluetooth (BT) technology. While WPANmay be very beneficial for certain applications, other applications mayrequire larger service areas and/or capabilities.

To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been developed to providegreater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systemsmay operate within a 100-meter range, for example. In contrast to theWPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are locatedwithin a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered bya building or a campus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based onspecific standards, for example IEEE 803.11 standard specifications, andtypically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilizedto supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wiredLocal Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as theWLAN system.

Other wireless solutions have evolved from traditional land-basedcommunication technologies. For instance, cellular phones have becomejust about an absolute necessity in today's world. While cellulartechnology was merely intended to add an element of mobility to thetraditional telephony service, this technology has grown beyond thatinitial purpose. Many modern cellular technologies, including suchtechnologies as GSM/GPRS, UMTS, and CDMA3000 may incorporate substantialdata capabilities. Most of today's cellular services may include suchfeatures as text messaging, video streaming, web browsing, etc.

Some mobile devices have the capability to utilize one or more wirelesstechnologies. For instance, WLAN systems may be operated in conjunctionwith WPAN systems to provide users with an enhanced overallfunctionality. For example, Bluetooth technology may be utilized toconnect a laptop computer or a handheld wireless terminal to aperipheral device, such as a keyboard, mouse, headphone, and/or printer,while the laptop computer or the handheld wireless terminal may also beconnected to a campus-wide WLAN network through an access point (AP)located within the building. Also, cellular technology may allow use ofthe mobile phone as a form of wireless modem that allows connecting alaptop, for example, to the Internet via a cellular network.

In short, wireless networks may exist to support mobile wirelessdevices. However, while mobile wireless devices have continued to growin complexity and capability, these devices still continue to sufferfrom some major limitations, especially physical limitations and power.

Just as with other electronic devices, the mobile wireless devices haveseen substantial growth in performance capability and speed. As such,they are finding applications in areas not predicted when firstintroduced to give users mobile telephony. They may comprise minicomputers, multimedia players, GPS devices and many other applications,for example. As a result of the growth in performance, more and moreapplications are being added to wireless devices, thereby increasingcomplexity.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method for enabling rendering of electronic mediacontent via a secure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheldwireless communication device substantially as shown in and/or describedin connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary ad hoc network enabled by ahandheld wireless communication device.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary ad hoc network comprising ahome network a service network a personal area network (PAN) and ahandheld wireless communication device.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an exemplary ad hoc network comprising amobile PAN, a home network and a handheld wireless communication device.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for establishingan ad hoc network via a handheld wireless communication device,transferring media content over the dynamic and secure ad hoc networkand rendering the media content on a remote networked device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system forenabling rendering of electronic media content via a secure ad hocnetwork configuration utilizing a handheld wireless communication device(HWCD). In this regard, the secure ad hoc network may comprise anysuitable public or private access network enabled to handle data thatmay be protected, for example, encrypted data. Various embodiments ofthe invention may utilize a HWCD to enable a dynamic and secure ad hocnetwork that may comprise local and remote elements for a specifieduser. The dynamic and secure ad hoc network may comprise local elementssuch as, for example, a personal area network (PAN) and/or a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), as well as remote elements such as, forexample, the specified user's home network, a service provider networkand/or the Internet. In this regard, the specified user of the HWCD mayown or have a right to render electronic media content stored on thehome network and/or the service provider network for example.

Access to information on the home and/or service provider network may beenabled according to the specified user's personal preferences. Thespecified user and the HWCD may be located within range of networkeddevices comprising suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to receive,render and/or buffer electronic media content. The specified user mayutilize the HWCD to establish the dynamic and secure ad hoc networkbetween the local networked devices via a PAN and/or a WLAN connectionand the home or service provider network via a wide area network (WAN).The specified user may securely transfer electronic media content fromthe home or service provider network to the local networked resourcesand render the content on the local networked resource. The HWCD may beutilized as the local content rendering resource as well. In someembodiments of the invention, electronic media content that may bestored on a home network or a service provider network and may beprotected by, for example, Digital Rights Management (DRM) or anotheraccess control technology, may be processed for display and approved foraccess on the home network or service provider network. In this regard,rather than directing the media content to an attached display, the homenetwork or service provider network may direct or stream the mediacontent via a network to the HWCD display or a display on anotherdevice.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of exemplary dynamic and secure ad hocnetwork that may be utilized for transferring electronic media content,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A,the exemplary dynamic and secure ad hoc network may comprise a source ofelectronic media content 120, a target electronic media contentrendering device 110, a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD)130 and network links 102, 104 and 106.

The source of electronic media content 120 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code to store electronic media and securely transferthe media over a network 102, 104 and/or 106. In one embodiment of theinvention, the source of electronic media content 120 may be enabled toperform fast processing operations and/or store large amounts of data.For example, the source of electronic media content 120 may be enabledto perform data format translation and security operations such as dataencryption and/or authentication. The source of electronic media content120 may be enabled to adapt to dynamic network link requirements and/orcapabilities by adapting data rates and protocol processes. In oneembodiment of the invention, the source of electronic media content 120may be a networked home computer or storage device comprising electronicmedia content that may be owned by a specified user and/or that thespecified user has permission to gain access to. In another embodimentof the invention, the source of electronic media content 120 may be anetworked service or account comprising electronic media that may beowned by the specified user and/or the specified user has permission togain access to. For example a service provider may allocate storage fora specified user.

The target electronic media content rendering device 110, may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and or code to receive secure electronic mediacontent via a wireless and/or wire-line network connection and renderit. In addition, the target electronic media content rendering device110 may be suitable to buffer the electronic media content prior torendering it. In one embodiment of the invention, the target electronicmedia content rendering device 110 may not be capable of fast processingof data for format translation and/or rate adaptation. In anotherembodiment of the invention the target electronic media content device110 may be capable of performing format translation and/or rateadaptation.

The network links 102, 104 and 106 may comprise a plurality ofinterconnecting networks with suitable logic, circuitry and/or code thatmay enable end-to-end communication between the source of electronicmedia content 120, the HWCD 130 and the target electronic media contentrendering device 110. In this regard, the network links 102, 104 and 106may be a secure ad hoc network that may comprise any suitable public orprivate access network elements enabled to handle protected data such asencrypted data. In some embodiments of the invention, the electronicmedia content and corresponding signaling may be transferred from thesource of electronic media content 120 via a WLAN to a WAN that maytransport the electronic media content to a remote access point. Theremote access point may transmit the electronic media content to thetarget electronic media content rendering device 110 and/or the handheldwireless communication device (HWCD) 130 via WLAN protocol. In addition,the HWCD 130 may be located within personal area network (PAN) range ofthe target electronic media content rendering device 110 and maycommunicate directly via a PAN link, for example a Bluetooth connection.In another embodiment of the invention, the target electronic mediacontent rendering device 110 and HWCD 130 may be moving in a vehiclesuch as a car or plane. In this regard, the network link 104 may be aPAN connection while the network links 102 and 106 may comprise cellularlinks that are capable of base station hand-offs. For example, devices110 and 130 may establish and re-establish signaling with one or morebase stations according to their varying proximity, while sustainingcommunication with the source of electronic media content 120.Communication technologies utilized for network links 102, 104 and 106are not limited to those mentioned here. Any communication protocolsuitable for voice, video and/or audio data communication may beutilized.

The handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) 130 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code to establish secure networkconnections with the source of electronic media content 120 and thetarget electronic media content rendering device 110 via the networklinks 102, 104 and 106. The HWCD and/or the specified user may beauthenticated by the source of electronic media content 120 prior todata retrieval. The HWCD 130 may be capable of biometric scanning andinterpretation. Biometric scanning may be utilized to acquirephysiological and/or behavioral information. The HWCD 130 may comprisean end user device or an end user terminal device comprising a userinterface.

The HWCD 130 may comprise a plurality of radio technologies andcomputing platforms, for example the HWCD 130 may comprise a cellularphone, smart phone, wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), and/orpersonal computer with FM, Bluetooth, WLAN, GPS and/or RFID radiotechnology capabilities.

The HWCD 130 may operate within local or remote range of the source ofelectronic media content 120. The HWCD 130 may be enabled to establish asecure PAN, WLAN, WAN or another type of communication link and discoverlocal resources, for example the target electronic media contentrendering device 110. The HWCD may be enabled to function as a portablerouter and/or a mobile wireless cable modem, establishing communicationlinks and assigning resources for processing electronic media contentdata. The HWCD 130 may initiate connections with the source ofelectronic media content 120 and the target electronic media contentrendering device 110 and may dynamically establish new links whencommunication is disrupted or a mobile device moves out of range of alink. The HWCD 130 may be enabled to render media content from thesource of electronic media content 120 as well. Security operations, forexample encryption, are not limited to a specific type and may compriseany suitable methods.

In operation, a specified user may utilize an HWCD 130 to retrieveelectronic media content from the source of electronic media content120. The specified user may own or have permission to access theelectronic media content. The HWCD 130 may discover local resourcescomprising the target electronic media content rendering device 110 andestablish a dynamic and secure ad hoc network comprising local resourcesand remote resources. The HWCD may modify or establish new network linksto sustain content retrieval in a changing network environment. The HWCD130 may assign processing tasks for example data format translation,rate adaptation and/or security operations to available remote and/orlocal resources. The remote and/or local resources may buffer data,utilize multiple streams and/or reach-ahead to expedite the transmissionof data as afforded by available network bandwidth. The user may thenplay the electronic media content on a local target electronic mediacontent rendering device 110 via control of the HWCD 130. In someembodiments of the invention, electronic media content that may bestored on the source of electronic media content 120 and may beprotected by, for example, Digital Rights Management (DRM) or anotheraccess control technology, may be processed for display and approved foraccess on the source of electronic media content 120. In this regard,rather than directing the media content to an attached display, thesource of electronic media content 120 may direct or stream the mediacontent via a network to the HWCD 130 display or the display of thetarget electronic media content rendering device 110.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary dynamic and secure ad hocnetwork that may be utilized for transferring electronic media content,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2Athere is shown a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) 130, apersonal area network (PAN) 210, four content rendering devices 212 a,212 b, 212 c and 212 d, a wireless local area network (WLAN) accesspoint (AP) 214, a home network 220 with a server 222 a and storage 222b, a service network 250 with a server 252 a and storage 252 b and awide area network 240.

The HWCD 130 may be communicatively coupled with electronic mediacontent rendering devices 212 a, 212 b, 212 c and/or 212 d within thepersonal area network (PAN) 210 via for example a Bluetooth connectionor a WLAN connection via AP 214. Other types of suitable communicationtechnologies not shown in FIG. 2A may link the HWCD 130 to local contentrendering devices for example 212 a, 212 b, 212 c and/or 212 d.

The HWCD 130 may be communicatively coupled with the home network 220and/or the service network 250 as described in FIG. 1, link network 106.In this regard, the HWCD 130 may, for example, access the wide areanetwork 240 via a local wireless access point (AP) or any other suitablewireless technology such as cellular an/or or satellite communication.

The personal area network (PAN) 210 may comprise attributes similar tothose described in FIG. 1 target electronic media content renderingdevices 110. In this regard, PAN 210 may comprise a speaker 212 a, aprinter 212 b, a high definition or standard definition video display212 c and/or a personal computer 212 d. The personal area network 210devices may be communicatively coupled with the home network 220 and orthe service network 250 via the wide area network 240.

Communication between the WAN 240 and the HWCD 130, the speaker 212 a,the printer 212 b, the high or standard definition video display 212 cand/or the personal computer 212 d may be enabled via the AP 212. Inaddition the AP 212 may enable communication between the HWCD 130 anddevices 212 a, 212 b, 212 c and/or 212 d when the HWCD 130 is withinWLAN range of the AP 212.

The home network 220 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or codeto act as a source of secure or unprotected electronic media content 120as described for FIG. 1. The home network 220 may comprise a server orpersonal computer 222 a with suitable processing capacity and/or storage222 b for supporting the dynamic and secure ad hoc network transmissionsand data processing tasks. The home network 220 may store a specifieduser's own content or content the specified user has permission toaccess. In addition, the home network 220 is not limited to any specificelectronic media devices. In this regard, the home network may forexample comprise a laptop, a DVD recorder or other electronic mediarecorder, a digital still or video camera, an electronic keyboard and/ora microphone. The home network may be communicatively coupled with thePAN 210, the HWCD 130 and the service network 250 via the wide areanetwork 240.

The service provider network 250 may comprise suitable logic, circuitryand or code to act as a source of secure or unprotected electronic mediacontent 120 as described for FIG. 1. The service provider network 250may comprise a server or personal computer 252 a with suitableprocessing capacity and/or storage 252 b for supporting the dynamic andsecure ad hoc network transmissions and data processing tasks. Theservice provider network 250 may store a specified user's owned contentor content the specified user has permission to access. In addition, theservice provider network 250 is not limited to any specific electronicmedia devices and may comprise any suitable device for storing,processing and transmitting electronic media content over the dynamicand secure ad hoc network. The service provider network 250 may becommunicatively coupled with the home network 220, the PAN 210 and theHWCD 130 via the wide area network 240.

The wide area network (WAN) 240 may comprise a plurality ofinterconnecting networks with suitable logic, circuitry and/or code thatmay enable dynamic and secure communication between the home network 220and the PAN 260 via one or more base stations 270 a and 270 b. The WAN240 may comprise any suitable network that may be accessible to thegeneral public and/or may comprise one or more proprietary networks withprotected access. The WAN 240 may comprise wireless and/or wire-linelinks and may support a variety of communication technologies andprotocols suitable for voice, video and/or audio data communication.

In operation, the HWCD 130 may enable configuration of a dynamic andsecure ad hoc network wherein devices within the local personal areanetwork (PAN) 210 that may be located remotely from the home network220, may act as an extension of the home network 220 and/or an extensionof the remote service network 250. In this regard, a specified user whomay own or have permission to access media content on the home network220 and/or service network 250, may render protected electronic mediacontent on a remote resource without violating media rights and/orlicensing agreements. In one exemplary usage scenario, a specified userand the user's HWCD 130 may be located away from the user's home network220. The HWCD 130 may support for example, Bluetooth and/or WLAN radiotechnology. In this regard, the specified user may be located in afriend's home for example, within range of PAN 210 comprising a videodisplay 212 c enabled to support Bluetooth connections. In addition thelocal environment may comprise a WLAN access point (AP) 214. Thespecified user may wish to display media content, on the local videodisplay 212 c, a video file that may be stored within the specifieduser's home network 220. The specified user may utilize the HWCD 130within the local environment to configure a dynamic and secure ad hocnetwork between the video display 212 c and the specified user's remotehome network 220. In this regard, the video display 212 c may become anextension of the user's home network 220.

The HWCD 130 may establish a PAN connection with the video display 212c. In addition, the HWCD 130 may establish a WLAN connection with the AP214 and access the home network 220 via the WAN 240. The specified userand/or the HWCD 130 may be authenticated by the home network 220. TheHWCD 130 may assign processing tasks for example data format translationfor the electronic media content file to a computer within the homenetwork 220 for example. Moreover, the HWCD may determine routing forthe electronic media content file from the home network 220 to the videodisplay 212 c. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic mediacontent file may be routed from the user's home network 220, over theWAN 240 to the AP 214 and then via a WLAN connection to the videodisplay 212 c for example. In another embodiment of the invention, theelectronic media content file may be routed over the WAN 240 to the AP214 and then via a WLAN connection to the HWCD 130. In this regard, theHWCD may transmit the electronic media content file to the video display212 c via a Bluetooth connection within PAN 210. During datatransmission, the remote and/or local resources may buffer data, utilizemultiple streams and/or reach-ahead to expedite the transmission of dataas afforded by available network bandwidth. The rate of transmission maybe converted to a rate compatible with the HWCD and or the video display262. The user may then play the electronic media content on the videodisplay 212 c without violating electronic media rights and/or licensingagreements.

In another usage scenario, the HWCD 130 may be located in a region localto the home network 220, the server 222 a and memory 222 b. Electronicmedia content that may be protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM)for example, or another access control technology, may be stored in thememory 222 b. The user may have permission to access and render thestored electronic media content on the server 222 a. In this regard, theHWCD 130 may establish a connection via Bluetooth or WLAN for examplewith the home network 220 and may be utilized to direct the server 222 ato access and process the protected electronic media for display. Inthis regard, rather than directing the media content to a displayattached to the server 222 a, the electronic media content may bedirected or streamed to the HWCD 130 display via the Bluetooth or WLANconnection for example.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an exemplary dynamic and secure ad hocnetwork that may be utilized for transferring electronic media contentin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2Bthere is shown a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) 130, amobile personal area network (PAN) 260, a portable video display 262, ahome network 220 a server 222 a, storage 222 b and two cellular basestations 270 a and 270 b.

The HWCD 130 device and functionality was described in FIG. 1. The HWCD130 may be communicatively coupled via a PAN network 260, for exampleBluetooth, with the portable video display 262. In addition, the HWCD130 may be communicatively coupled with the home network 220 via one ormore cellular base stations 270 a and 270 b, and the WAN 240.Communication technologies utilized to communicatively couple the HWCD130 are not limited to the ones mentioned here. Other types of suitablecommunication technologies not shown in FIG. 2B may be utilized betweena source of electronic media content 120 for example the home network220 and a target electronic media rendering device 110, for example theportable video display 262.

The mobile PAN 260 may comprise attributes similar to those described inFIG. 1, target electronic media content rendering device 110. In thisregard, PAN 260 may comprise video display 262 and the HWCD 130. Thepersonal area network 260 may be communicatively coupled with the homenetwork 220 via the HWCD 130, one or more cellular base stations 270 aand 270 b and/or the WAN 240. In another embodiment of the invention,the PAN 260 may be communicatively coupled with a service providernetwork. For example, the service provider network 250 shown in FIG. 2A,may be communicatively coupled with the HWCD 130 via one or morecellular base stations 270 a and 270 b and/or the WAN 240.

The home network 220 is described in FIG. 2A block 220 and may comprisea server 222 a and storage 222 b. The home network 220 may becommunicatively coupled with the mobile PAN 260 via the WAN 240 and basestations 270 a and 270 b.

The WAN 240 is substantially described with respect to FIG. 2A and maybe communicatively coupled with the home network 220 and the PAN 260 viaone or more base stations 270 a and 270 b.

The base stations 270 a and 270 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitryand/or code to set-up and maintain a connection with the wireless deviceHWCD 130. The base stations 270 a and/or 270 b may be part of a systemthat enables hand-off of the HWCD 130 from one or more base stations toone or more alternative base stations while supporting datacommunication between the home network 220 and the mobile PAN 260 forthe duration of data transfer. The base stations may be part of a mobileterrestrial, air to ground and/or satellite system and may becommunicatively coupled with other systems such as WLAN for example inbetween the base stations 270 a and 270 b and the HWCD 130. The basestations may operate on any suitable frequency available for wirelesscommunication. In addition the base stations 270 a and 270 b may becommunicatively coupled with the WAN 240 via any suitable transportmedia, switching facilities and/or gateway technology available tosupport secure and reliable audio, video and/or voice communication.

In operation, the HWCD 130 may enable configuration of a dynamic andsecure ad hoc network wherein devices within the local personal areanetwork (PAN) 210 that may be located remotely from the home network220, may act as an extension of the home network 220 and/or an extensionof a remote service network as shown in FIG. 2A, block 250. In thisregard, a specified user who may own or have permission to accesscontent on the home network 220, may render protected electronic mediacontent on a remote resource without violating media rights and/orlicensing agreements. In one exemplary usage scenario, a specified userand the user's HWCD 130 may be located away from the user's home network220.

The HWCD 130 may support for example, Bluetooth and/or WLAN radiotechnology. In this regard, the specified user may be located in amoving vehicle for example a plane or a car and may be within range ofone or more devices enabled to support a PAN or WLAN connection forexample a Bluetooth connection. The HWCD 130 may be within range of theportable video display 262 enabled to support one or more networkconnections, for example, a Bluetooth connection. The specified user maywish to render, on the local video display 262, a video file forexample, that may be stored within the specified user's home network220. The specified user may utilize the HWCD 130 within the localenvironment to configure a dynamic and secure ad hoc network between thevideo display 262 and the specified user's remote home network 220. Inthis regard, the video display 262 may act as an extension of the user'shome network 220.

The HWCD 130 may establish a connection with the video display 262, forexample, a PAN or WLAN. In addition, the HWCD 130 may access the homenetwork 220 via a connection with one or more base stations 270 a and270 b directly or via a WLAN connection and the WAN 240. The specifieduser and/or the HWCD 130 may be authenticated by the home network 220.The HWCD 130 may assign processing tasks to itself or other resources.For example, data format translation for the electronic media contentfile may be assigned to the server 222 a and storage 222 b within thehome network 220. Moreover, the HWCD may determine routing for theelectronic media content file between the home network 220 and the videodisplay 212 c. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic mediacontent file may be routed from the user's home network 220, over theWAN 240 to one or more of the base stations 270 a and 270 b and then viaone or more wireless connections to the video display 262 for example.

In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic media contentfile may be routed from the user's home network 220, over the WAN 240 toone or more of the base stations 270 a and 270 b and then via one ormore wireless connections to the HWCD 130. In this regard, the HWCD 130may transmit the electronic media content file to the video display 262via a Bluetooth connection within PAN 260. During transmission of theelectronic media content, the remote and/or local resources may bufferdata, utilize multiple streams and/or may reach-ahead to expedite thetransmission of data as afforded by available network bandwidth. Therate of transmission may be converted to a rate compatible with the HWCD130 and or the video display 262. The user may then play the electronicmedia content on the video display 262 without violating electronicmedia rights and/or licensing agreements.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for transferringelectronic media content via a dynamic and secure ad hoc network, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3,after start step 310, in step 312 a user may initiate a process forrendering electronic media content within a local environment. Theelectronic mobile media content may be owned by the user or the user mayhave permission to access it. Utilizing a handheld wirelesscommunication device (HWCD) 130 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a personalarea network (PAN) or wireless local area network (LAN) comprising localresources enabled to process and/or render the electronic media content,may be established. The HWCD 130 may select a resource for rendering theelectronic media content and discover its capabilities and requirementsfor receiving, processing, storing and rendering the electronic media.

In step 314, the HWCD 130 may access a source of electronic mediacontent 120 for example the home network 220 or the service providernetwork 250. The home network 220 and/or service provider network 250may comprise the user's personal system preferences and settings. Instep 316, the source of electronic media content 120 for example thehome network 220 and/or service provider network 250, may authenticatethe user and/or the HWCD 130. In step 318, the HWCD 130 may determineprocessing needed to adapt the electronic media content for receivingand rendering on the selected resource. The HWCD 130 may assignprocessing tasks to available resources within the local network or aremote network, for example: data format conversion, security treatmentand/or transport rate adaptation.

In step 320, the HWCD 130 may determine a route and establish a secureand dynamic ad hoc network comprising the source of electronic mediacontent 120, the target electronic media content rendering device 110,the HWCD 130 and suitable network communication links shown in FIG. 1.In step 322, electronic media content may be transferred to the targetelectronic media content rendering device 110. According to bandwidthavailability, data may be transferred at an accelerated effective ratevia single or multiple streams and buffered within the secure ad hocnetwork. In step 324, the process may proceed to step 324 if networklink integrity has been sustained and/or transfer of the electronicmedia content is complete. In step 326, the electronic media content maybe rendered on the terminating device and the secure ad hoc network maybe closed or modified. Step 328 is an end step. In step 324, if networklink integrity has failed or disengaged, the HWCD 130 may be enabled todynamically establish a new or modified secure ad hoc network or userintervention may be utilized. Proceed to step 320.

In one embodiment of the invention, a handheld wireless communicationdevice (HWCD) 130 may be utilized in determining networked resourcesthat may enable processing of data for a specified user. The determinednetwork resources may comprise the HWCD 130, the source of electronicmedia content 120, one or more transport links 102, 104 and/or 106 and aterminating element 110 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the HWCD 130 maybe utilized to establish a dynamic and secure network configurationamong one or more of the determined network resources for the specifieduser. The dynamic and secure network configuration may be operatedaccording to the specified users preferences.

The data may be access protected and the specified user may have accessrights via the established dynamic and secure network configuration.Obtaining access to the data may require complying with securityoperations for example authentication of the specified user and/or theHWCD, for the data source and/or the protected data.

The HWCD 130 may enable determining one or more processing operationsneeded for the data and may assign the data processing tasks to theavailable networked resources. For example, the format of the data maybe converted by the source of electronic media content 120 to a formatcompatible with the terminating element 110. The data throughput may beadapted according to available network bandwidth. For example multiplestreams and reach ahead may be utilized to improve throughput.Accordingly, the data may be buffered. One or more transport links maybe established until transfer of the data may be complete. The data maybe consumed. For example the data may be rendered on the terminatingelement 110 or the HWCD 130.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method for data communication maycomprise creating an ad hoc network enabled to handle secure data for aspecified user via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) 130shown in FIG. 2A. The user of the handheld wireless communication device(HWCD) 130 may be verified and/or authenticated. The ad hoc networkenabled to handle secure data may extend rightful access to data thatmay be protected and stored on one or more networked devices to one ormore distributed rendering devices. For example the rightful access todata stored on the server 222 a and the storage 222 b, may be extendedto one or more distributed rendering devices 212 a, 212 b, 212 c and/or212 d. The HWCD and/or the user may be authenticated and/or subject tosecurity operations of the one or more networked devices when obtainingaccess to the data stored therein.

The HWCD 130 may enable configuration of one or more dynamic connectionsthat enable communication via the ad hoc network enabled to handlesecure data. The connections may be re-configured as needed until thecommunication of data is complete. Bandwidth and throughput of the oneor more communication links may be adjusted according to bandwidthavailability. Moreover, the data may be buffered via the HWCD and/or oneor more of the distributed rendering devices.

Processing of the data may be assigned amongst the one or more networkedresources that are communicatively coupled via the ad hoc networkenabled to handle secure data. The data may be converted from itscurrent format to a format suitable for rendering and/or consumed on theone or more distributed rendering devices via control by the HWCD.

A method for data communication is disclosed, the method comprises:creating via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) and for aspecified user, an ad hoc network enabled to handle secure data thatextends to one or more distributed rendering devices rightful access todata stored on one or more networked devices.

The method may further comprise configuring via said HWCD, one or moreconnections that enable communication via said ad hoc network enabled tohandle secure data.

The method is further disclosed, wherein said configuring of said one ormore connections occurs dynamically via said HWCD.

The method may further comprise adjusting via said HWCD, bandwidth ofone or more communication links utilized by said ad hoc network enabledto handle secure data based on bandwidth availability. In addition, themethod may further comprise adjusting via said HWCD, throughput of oneor more data streams handled by said one or more communication linksbased on said bandwidth availability.

The method may further comprise buffering said data via said HWCD and/orsaid one or more distributed rendering devices.

The method may further comprise controlling via said HWCD, consumptionof said data by said one or more distributed rendering devices and/orsaid HWCD.

The method may further comprise converting via said HWCD, said data fromits current format to a format suitable for rendering on said one ormore distributed rendering devices.

The method may further comprise assigning one or more tasks that enableprocessing of said data amongst one or more of networked resourcescommunicatively coupled via said ad hoc network enabled to handle securedata.

The method is further disclosed wherein said data comprises protectedmedia content.

The method may further comprise re-configuring via said HWCD, one ormore connections that enable communication via said ad hoc networkenabled to handle secure data until said data communication is complete.

The method may further comprise obtaining said access to data stored onsaid one or more networked devices via said HWCD according toauthentication and/or security operations of said one or more networkeddevices.

An ad hoc network enabled to handle secure data may be created for aspecified user via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) suchthat rightful access to protected data stored on one or more networkeddevices may be extended to one or more distributed rendering devices.The HWCD and/or the user may be authenticated. The HWCD may enableconfiguration of one or more dynamic connections on the ad hoc networkas needed until communication of data is complete. Bandwidth andthroughput of one or more communication links may be adjusted accordingto bandwidth availability. The data may be buffered via the HWCD and/orone or more of the distributed rendering devices. Processing data tasksmay be assigned to one or more networked resources on the ad hocnetwork. The data may undergo format conversion and be consumed on theone or more distributed rendering devices and/or the HWCD.

Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise a machine-readablestorage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section for enabling rendering of electronic media content via asecure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheld wirelesscommunication device, the at least one code section being executable bya machine for causing the machine to perform one or more of the stepsdescribed herein.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware,software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or ina distributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a boardlevel product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with otherportions of the system as separate components. The degree of integrationof the system will primarily be determined by speed and costconsiderations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modernprocessors, it is possible to utilize a commercially availableprocessor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementationof the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available asan ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processormay be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functionsimplemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversionto another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a differentmaterial form. However, other meanings of computer program within theunderstanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by thepresent invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Therefore, at least the following is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: acontent rendering device; and a handheld wireless communication device(HWCD), the HWCD configured to: establish a wireless link with thecontent rendering device; access content for display; and controltransmission of the content to the content rendering device via thewireless link for display by the content rendering device.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein wireless link is established as a secure wirelesslink.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the HWCD is further configuredto establish a second wireless link with a network to access the contentfrom a remote network device.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein thesecond wireless link is a cellular link to a cellular network.
 5. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the second wireless link is a wireless linkto a wireless local area network.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein theremote network device is a service provider network device.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the content comprises electronic mediacontent streamed from the service provider network device via the secondwireless link.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the content isdisplayed by the content rendering device and the HWCD.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein consumption of the content by the content renderingdevice is controlled by the HWCD.
 10. A method, comprising: establishinga wireless link between a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD)and a content rendering device; accessing, by the HWCD, content fordisplay; and communicating the content to the content rendering devicevia the wireless link for display by the content rendering device, wherecommunication of the content to the content rendering device iscontrolled by the HWCD.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contentis accessed by the HWCD from a remote network device via a secondwireless link.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprisingestablishing the second wireless link with an access point of a wirelesslocal area network.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprisingestablishing the second wireless link with a base station of a cellularnetwork.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising handing offamong base stations in the cellular network during communication of thecontent from the remote network device to the HWCD.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the content is protected content streamed from aservice provider.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein access to theprotected content is based upon authentication of the HWCD.
 17. Ahandheld wireless communication device (HWCD), comprising: a wirelessinterface configured to establish a secure wireless link with a contentrendering device; processing circuitry configured to receive content fordisplay via a network wireless link; and the processing circuitryfurther configured to control transmission of the content to the contentrendering device via the secure wireless link for display by the contentrendering device.
 18. The HWCD of claim 17, further comprising a secondwireless interface configured to establish the network wireless linkwith a base station of a cellular network.
 19. The HWCD of claim 17,wherein the wireless interface is further configured to establish thenetwork wireless link with an access point of a wireless local areanetwork.
 20. The HWCD of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther configured to convert the content to a format suitable forrendering for display by the content rendering device.